The percentage of female investors in the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) has increased by 30%, according to Maya Morsi, president of the National Council of Women (NCW). Morsi announced during a seminar whose title literally translates as “The Egyptian Woman: the Origin of the Tale” during the 64th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Morsi also added that women held 15% of the parliamentary seats in 2018, compared to only 2% in 2013, which is considered the highest number ever in the history of the Egyptian Parliament.

She mentioned the increase in the number of female ministers gradually from 6% in 2015, to 20% in 2017, and then 25% in 2018, adding that it is also the highest number ever in Egyptian history to witness this great percentage of female ministers in the cabinet.

Furthermore Morsi asserted that there are some women who became pioneers in a number of fields which are being occupied by women for the first time, and are taking part in the decision-making process.

Moreover, she also referred that it is the first time for a woman to occupy the post of the president’s advisor for national security affairs.

Additionally Morsi disclosed that, “The unemployment rate among women decreased from 24% in 2014 to 21.4% in 2018, then to 19.6% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2019.”

Girls currently make up 54% of university students, while 46.5% of those holding a master’s degree and a PhD are women, she added that.

“Egypt has been the first Arab country to start implementing gender equality, while the North African country has been the second to test the criteria of the UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal for Public and Private Organizations, acknowledging these bodies’ special role and efforts to achieve gender equality,” she concluded.